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Mercury Prize Noms Mix Rock, Rap, Jazz

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 21, 2009 10:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – Scruffy rockers Kasabian and indie darling Florence and the Machine lead this year's nominations for the Mercury Prize, Britain's most prestigious musical award. The $33,000 gong, previously won by PJ Harvey and the Arctic Monkeys, is famous for its eclectic shortlist. True to form, this year's nominees include a largely unknown female rapper and an eccentric jazz quintet, but not stars such as Lily Allen.

For clips of the nominated albums and the full shortlist, click the BBC link below.

Natasha Khan of Bat for Lashes performs at the Glastonbury Festival. Her album 'Two Suns' was nominated for the Mercury Prize today. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

Singer Tom Meighan of British band Kasabian performs at the Glastonbury Festival. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

Indie rock band Elbow won the Mercury Prize last year. This year's nominees range from a young female rapper to an eccentric jazz quintet. (AP Photo / Yui Mok, PA)

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After visa snags, UK import tackles US for the second time

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Oscars get much more attention

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

music • United Kingdom • awards • Lily Allen • Mercury Prize

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Turner Prize Nods Include Crystal Cave

Four artists up for $36,000 art prize

Cleared for Landing: Lily Allen's US Return

After visa snags, UK import tackles US for the second time

Grammys Should Turn Up the Volume

Oscars get much more attention

Grammy Noms a 'Blessing': Hudson

Debut album receives four nods

Underwood Joins Grand Ole Opry

Emotional 'Idol' enters country's elite club

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?